Brightonyourhealth provides useful techniques on natural & healthy living, eating well and eating balanced meals, and health tips and patient information for living a longer, healthier life. Based in France and using a European health approach, this blog is for anyone seeking to better their overall “quality” of life, and alter their diet habits with a more realistic, efficient method. Please visit the ABOUT the AUTHOR page for more information on the author, Mary Brighton.
My Philosophy On Health, Wellness and Lifestyle
My background in nutrition, dietetics and exercise physiology is strictly scientific and medically based. But my upbringing, thanks mostly to my semi-hippie mom and being raised in the 1970′s and my European right off the boat grandmother included alternative medicines and therapies to stay healthy or cure illnesses. Nothing alternative crazy-like, only things like homemade chicken soup for the cold, high doses of vitamin C for the flu and organic food from mom’s garden to stay healthy. I like and can really relate to Michael Pollan’s term “The American Paradox” or as he defines it:
We Americans suffer a national eating disorder: our unhealthy obsession with healthy eating.
Are Americans healthy? No. We are some of the most unhealthiest people on the planet. Check out rates of obesity, heart disease, diabetes and other lifestyle related diseases on this website if you don’t believe me. I don’t like to point this out. I am American and proud of it. America is a rich country with plenty of resources. It is difficult to admit that with all that we have in the USA, we still rank below other nations for health related issues. Plus, it is hard for me to see people unhealthy. With my father having a devastating stroke almost three years ago, I can swear that this experience being so difficult for him and my family lifestyle related illness should be avoided with all means possible.
Now I live in France and prior to this we lived in the United Kingdom. These cultural experiences have opened a privileged window to looking at how other people in other countries and cultures live. Being a dietitian it is kind of in my blood to observe on what works and what doesn’t work to stay healthy and fit long-term. “The French Paradox” does exist, I am living proof. This paradox of eating with pleasure and without deprivation and still stay healthy. Oui, my eating ways have changed since living overseas. Not in an unhealthy way, just more relaxed and towards back to basic habits and real eating. Some of my clients like to label me as a “Realistic Dietitian.” This is probably a good assessment. I feel that almost anything can fit into a wellness lifestyle and healthy eating plan. The perfect melange would probably be a picking of the best from both countries, America and France and making our own health paradox.
What is important for good health is balance and moderation on just about everything. Balance and moderation to help stay well and enjoy life. Balance and moderation to have a good mental health, important too. But each person is different. What works in your life may not be the same which works for someone else. The basic principles are there and you can read them on my blog. Please take a look through the articles and ask any questions, leave comments or feel free to disagree. If you like what you see, like my Facebook page or subscribe to the email alerts by following by RSS feeds. Let’s work together to connect the American Paradox with the French Paradox to make YOU your own Healthy Paradox.
Brightonyourhealth may give you some of the answers you are looking for. Here are some of the articles and series published in 2011 with more to come in 2012.
Enjoy the Frenchy eating and lifestyle culture articles, entitled:
The Frenchy Way to Eat for Pleasure and Good Health
Your focus is on children and school lunches? Be shocked at the differences between a typical American school lunch compared to a French school lunch. Including a 30 school lunch meal comparison between the two countries:
School Lunches in American compared to France “Oh, La, La!”
Just adore cooking and eating? Love to look at recipes? Are you particularly interested in French food and French cooking? Check out some easy French recipes of food served in the French school lunch program. Basic French food does not have to be hard to cook!
French Recipes Even Kids Can Enjoy
And if you need some additional inspiration, see some personal favorite cookbooks below. Included is the cookbook that really opened up my palate for great food : The New Basics Cookbook by Sheila Lukins and Julee Rosso.
Kids are our future, do you agree?! Feel motivated to help them continue their healthy lifestyle or do you/they need push? Do you miss a lack of ideas that really work? Here are articles on helping your kids to live healthy. For them and for you too!
LIVE HEALTHY! For your kids and YOU too
Have you ever traveled to France? Do you think things in France are very different from things in America? Laugh when you read the summer 2010 series on differences between France and America with portion sizes, smiles, air-conditioning, health insurance.
Differences Between France and America and How This Affects Our Health
There are also stories on the Frenchy way to lose weight , cigarette smoking in French women as a form of weight control, on whether it is possible to “survive” without eating any vegetables, and much more. Take a look.
Here are my links to Linkedin, Twitter, and Facebook. Looking forward to seeing you back again soon.
Bon Appetit et A+! (In French A+ means see you soon)
And always Best in Health to you and yours, Mary Brighton
Congrats on the new site – looks great!
I would love it if you would dig into recipes and menu ideas for breakfast/lunch/dinner.
Also, saw your post on not eating veggies- I never knew you could maintain health and not eat veggies say, only fruit like the guy in the post…. flies against everything I have read!
Keep up the great posts!
PS- what about a cookbook to recommend?
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mbrighton Reply:
January 31st, 2011 at 00:11
Promise , really-to let you know about some great cookbooks , recipes and menu ideas. Did you see the post on Frenchy recipes from a school lunch program? But am planning on starting a section on the homepage that would have links to good recipes. Will add some of my own quick and yummy ones like “salade mache, bettereve et noix” {lamb’s leaf salad with beets and walnuts}. Very yummy, easy and looks very appetizing.
My dear friend in the post…another year gone by and still healthy. But he takes multivitamin too, eats fruit, exercises and loves his life. What really can we define as good health? Not having bad health? In this case, this person is just enjoying life and is OK… Could his health be even better by consuming more vegetables? Probably. Does he care? At this point-no. He is not going to start eating vegetables. Not the same comparison to someone who quits smoking for example. Realistically, this person, my friend won’t touch a veggie-so….it isn’t life threatening if you substitute.
I also know people, who I am close to, that eat amazing diet-organic, tons of vegetables fruit etc…
but they do not have a regular physical activity, nor many pleasurable outlets, etc…who do I think has better health? Maybe my friend who doesn’t eat veggies.
Keep me on my toes Greg- if you have other suggestions ….
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Could use some interesting ideas for lunch – how to eat well while stuck in my cube? My mornings rush and I need to pack a lunch. I try not to think of a typical lunch so I mix it up – fruit, yogurt, a couple crackers and nuts/veggies – ideas?
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mbrighton Reply:
January 31st, 2011 at 23:58
Hi Greg, been thinking of ideas for you.. In the meantime, check out this great website on lunch.
http://www.lunchtaker.com
Do you take a break for lunch or work right thru? Access to microwave?
Will get ideas to you… Been brainstorming…, Mary
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mbrighton Reply:
February 2nd, 2011 at 23:43
Hi Greg, been thinking of your question for interesting ideas for lunch. Why not pack some leftovers from dinner the night before? Is this too boring ? From experience, pack your lunch the night before so you can spend time to put in a good balance and diverse foods.
For lunch, to keep your work steam going and you feeling good make sure you have enough healthy fat and proteins in the lunch meal. Lean meats, eggs, fish along with some healthy fats…make a green salad and bring along a little bottle of homemade vinaigrette. A good bread with grains in it is a good bread to eat with the lean protein healthy fat lunch. Pack some nuts, dark chocolate or a good full fat yogurt for mid afternoon snack if you start to feel tired or hungry and help you through the commute home.
Check out that website I told you about, it has a lot of great ideas for lunch (www.lunchtakers.com)
In a summary: prepare in advance, diverse foods, leaner proteins, healthy fats, and why not some good snacks for the afternoon if you feel hungry or tired and need a pick me up. ** watch sugar intake in the afternoon, this makes you even more tired in the end**
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It’s really “oh, la, la”. thanks!
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Pretty nice post. I just stumbled upon your blog and wished to say that Vie truly enjoyed surfing around your blog posts. Check out some easy French recipes of food served in the French school lunch program. Basic French food does not have to be hard to cook! Your blog has been very useful for me and it provides very good content and too informative, Thanks
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This is great. Most people rely on diet for a healthy lifestyle. Whether you call a therapist for help, or find self-help methods of your own, diet is always going to be a contributing factor to a happy and healthy lifestyle.
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Hello,
I am contacting you to see if you’d be willing to look into and possibly write about a recent project designed for helping people find out their nutrient needs based on medications they take. I work for an integrative medical clinic in Indiana, and we focus on empowering people toward optimal levels of health through nutrition, physical activity, and stress management.
The physician who started our clinic is passionate about the topic of nutrient depletion and how medications contribute to these depletions in our bodies. As a result, he created Mytavin, which is a free online calculator where you can type in your medication and/or symptoms and it will calculate the nutrients being depleted as well as the symptoms associated with the depletion.
Would you be willing to visit our site and potentially discuss the topic of nutrient depletion on your site or even use our calculator as a tool for your readers? It’s such an important, yet quiet topic in the health field these days.
The website is mytavin.com.
Thank you so much for your time,
Sincerely,
Erica Justice
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You are right dear kids are the future an I really like your work, Keep going.
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mbrighton Reply:
September 6th, 2011 at 13:28
Thank you Kashif for your comment and encouragement. I will keep going….and you come back and keep reading. In the next days there will be a new layout and look to the site. Let me know what you think. Where are you from? If there are any other topics you would like to see highlighted on the site, let me know what they are. Best in health! Mary
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Hi Mary. Do you have tips for pregnant women as well?
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mbrighton Reply:
September 12th, 2011 at 16:10
Hello! Do you have any specific questions in mind? Currently doing some articles on children (one coming out within the next hour) and will then focus a series on pregnancy and nutrition. Please ask any questions here thru the comment section or you can email me directly at: mbrighton@brightonyourhealth.com
Thanks for your comment and keep reading because I promise some articles on pregnancy. Also will discuss about pregnancy and nutrition in Europe. There are some different advice and standards of practice that differ from the states. Quite interesting. Had my oldest in the states, my son in the UK, my 2 youngest in France. All good experiences yet different. Let me know your thoughts and continue with feedback. Thanks alot!
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Healthy eating means maintaining a nutritious diet. I believe it to be important to every one. I stress a healthy life to my family and friends and I try to show them the benefits to it. I think the greatest benefit most of all is that it makes you feel and look great. If your not eating healthy, then you are not helping your body. You are filling it with what it does not want, instead, help your body out and eat healthy. The turn out is awesome. I have been eating healthy for years and I have never felt better in my life.
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Such a helpful site! I’m looking forward to reading through the recipes section
(would love it if you posted some on our blog http://www.TransferofHealth.com).
Great post!
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mbrighton Reply:
December 8th, 2011 at 23:13
Hi Tiffany! Thanks so much for your comment! Loved your website. Will go back again and have a thorough read. Amazing story about your husband, why don’t stories like this surprise me? It is always a good idea to look at all avenues for health. Using the “regular” medical system, but also alternative sources as you did with your husband. Thankfully you found the way to go through this natural path. Some people don’t have these liberties, even if the health system is paying so much for for their “regular” care. Glad all is going well there. Sure, would love to post some recipes on your blog! Will check out your blog again soon and be in touch. Come back again soon & keep reading too
! I know we have a lot of common areas. All the best to you.
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Healthy eating is not about strict nutrition or depriving yourself of the foods you love. It’s about feeling great, having more energy, and keeping yourself as healthy as possible– all of which can be achieved by learning some basics tips about health care and using them in a way that works for you.
Healthy eating tips begins with learning how to “eat smart”—it’s not just what you eat, but how you eat. Your food choices can reduce your risk of illnesses such as heart disease, cancer, and diabetes, as well as defend against problems of health .And learning about good habits of healthy eating can boost your energy, sharpen your memory and stabilize your mood. You can expand your range of healthy food choices and learn how to plan ahead to create and maintain a satisfying, healthy diet.
Go to (http://www.attentivehomecare.com) which provide best old age health care services for those who need best home health care service around USA.
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I had to laugh at the line about Americans being unhealthy. I totally agree with this. I am a chiropractor in St George UT and much of what I see are pain syndromes related to injury and inactivity.
The huge question that we need to ask is “What chronic diseases are being perpetuated due to inactivity?”
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mbrighton Reply:
January 25th, 2012 at 22:34
Hi Dr. White, You are probably a great source of answers to this big question. Inactivity is a big problem for health related issues. Due to the ‘newness’ of America, its roads, infrastructure, the space aspects…most Americans needs cars to get around. In other countries where there is more mass transit or people live closer together and there is access to shops and basic needs, the activity of people increases. There is strong epidemiological evidence that less driving in cars means healthier people. Inactivity is a big component of chronic disease. Thanks for your comment. I embrace chiropractic care. Currently my chiropractors here use the NSA therapy. Do you know this? Continued success in your business.
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Hello Mary. I am a big Michael Pollan fan too. I recommend “The Omnivore’s Dilemma” to everyone I know. Also, I would like to ask what your stance on artificial sweeteners is? I read here that aspartame should be avoided: http://www.mercola.com/Downloads/bonus/aspartame/report.aspx If you’re against it, what alternative would you suggest?
Thanks!
-Gina
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mbrighton Reply:
January 26th, 2012 at 09:57
Hi Gina, I am against the use of artificial sweeteners. In Europe, the European Food Safety Authority is doing a huge analysis looking at scientific data to assess whether aspartame is safe for human consumption and if it is, at what levels are considered safe. The final report is not due for awhile, but it will be a neutral opinion. The EFSA is a well-respected authority on nutrition and other issues. Here is an article I wrote here on this study: http://brightonyourhealth.com/mary-brighton-personal-health-tips/aspartame-safe-or-health-risk-the-european-health-authority-to-decide
As like anything artificial and potential toxic at large doses, aspartame should be avoided by pregnant and breastfeeding women. Babies and young children should not be having aspartame in their diet.
However, there is the question of what to offer as a replacement? Real sugar is one thing. Honey, Maple syrup and brown natural sugar are all options. It is best to be moderate with one’s diet and not overdose on foods that have a lot of sugar in general. Drinks are a big culprit for containing artificial sweeteners. Water, juice or small amounts of real soda is better than the diet brands. Aspartame and other artificial sweeteners are everywhere. We need become experts in reading food labels to not be naive on what is in our foods.
For diabetic persons, sugar has to be avoided in their diet to keep their blood sugars in control. So what to do for them? With good advice from a dietitian or diabetes educators, diabetics can have small amounts of sugar, honey and other real sweeteners when it is combined with other foods. But artificial sweeteners are often part of a diabetics’ diet. If it is in small amounts on an occasional basis, there are high chances that all will be okay.
I have tried Stevia, which is a natural sweetener. This may be a better option than aspartame. Stevia was recently approved in Europe to be distributed and used as a sweetener and alternative to sugar.
As a personal note, I don’t like sugary foods. Those people who do and have a large amount of sugar in their eating plan should look at food labels, try to eliminate any aspartame from their diet and ideally lower the amount of sugar they are eating.
Thanks so much for the comment! Let me know if you have any additional questions.
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